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ARTIFACT at Mingei

Name: ARTIFACT at Mingei
Address: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA, United States, 92101
Telephone: (619) 331-3569
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50

International

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 27, 2025

10:30 PM

Booked 18 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Innovative
Good for special occasions
Healthy

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday + dinner Friday evenings..

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.

An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park Connect with us @Dine.Mingei

Guests dining with ARTIFACT at Mingei for dinner services receive 50% off regular admission to our Exhibitions Level. Show your receipt or reservation confirmation at the admissions desk to receive this offer.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

Location
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Culinary Experience NICE
$89.00 per person
May 15, 2025 only
Experience NICE crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko and Tony Coito for our May ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.

Popular dishes

What 903 people are saying

ARTIFACT at Mingei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers a "unique menu" with inventive dishes that are both "artfully crafted" and delicious. Guests rave about the "great service" and the beautiful setting within the Mingei Museum. The restaurant's standout features include the beet salad, pierogis, and short rib with noodles. Perfect for those seeking "something completely different!"

903 Reviews

s
susan
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Oliva was a wonderful server. Very polite and helpful and quick. She should have a raise for all she does. Also, the hostess made sure everything was going as quickly as possible. I love the Hiabiscus drink. always refreshing.
Is this helpful?
J
JUDITH A. VIP
Orange County37 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
such an interesting menu; try this for something Completely Different!
Is this helpful?
P
Pat
San Diego35 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious unique food. This is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego
Is this helpful?
E
Eileen VIP
Philadelphia20 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our experience was very enjoyable. Shrimp potstickers and pirogies perfect. The beet salad also. Beautiful food and great service. Looking forward to going back.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan VIP
San Diego27 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really interesting food--beet salad is outstanding!
Is this helpful?
L
Lynn
San Diego34 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
A truly stunning restaurant with unique and delicious food. Service was very good, too.
Is this helpful?
HM
HME421
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food here is outstanding. Easily worth driving 30+ minutes and dealing with Balboa Park crowds. Lunch, dinner. Done.
Is this helpful?
A
Ale
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined on April 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Marvelous food. It's art. Beautiful to look at and delicious. Lucky to have a place like this.
Is this helpful?
T
Tania
San Diego6 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had the pleasure of enjoying a 4-course Afghan dinner experience last night inside a restaurant tucked within a museum—and it was absolutely fantastic. Each dish was beautifully balanced, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The spices were warm and fragrant without being overwhelming, and everything from start to finish felt like a culinary journey through the region. The atmosphere was cozy and culturally rich, which made the experience even more special. I left feeling full, happy, and inspired. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new and delicious!
Is this helpful?
M
Missnol VIP
San Diego15 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All love for Artifacts unique artfully crafted food and great service.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 903 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 27, 2025

10:30 PM

Booked 18 times today

Experiences are available.

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

ARTIFACT at Mingei

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

Culinary Experience NICE

Popular dishes

Greek Salad

Chocolate Mousse + Cocnut Cajeta + Coconut Whip

Caprese Sandwich

Menu

What 903 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant rated?

Is ARTIFACT at Mingei currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information